Apparatus for and method of ornamenting surfaces of ceramic products



Jan. 19,1926. 1,570,594

D. F. STEVENS APPARATUS FOR AND METHOD OF ORNAMENTING SURFACES 0F CERAMIC PRODUCTS Filed May 7, 1925 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 gwuwntoz Jan. 19 1926. 1,570,594

. D. F. STEVENS APPARATUS FOR AND METHOD OF ORNAMENTING SURFACES OF CERAMIC PRODUCTS Filed May '7, 1925 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 M TM WM Jan. 19 Q1926. 1,570,594

D. F. STEVENS v APPARATUS FOR AND METHOD OF ORNAMENTING SURFACES OF can/mm rnobuc'rs Filed May 7, 1925 4 Sheets-:Sheet 5 gwocntw Jan. 19 1926. I v 1,570,594

' D. F. STEVENS APPARATUS FOR AND METHOD OF ORNAMENTING SURFACES 0F CERAMIC PRODUCTS Filed May '7, 1925 4 Sheets-Shet 4 gnumatdz Mrusss:-

Patented Jan. 19, 1926.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

DOUGLAS F. STEVENS, OF DANVILLE, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR 'IO IDA K. STEVENS, OF

' DANVILLE, ILLINOIS.

APPARATUS FOR AND METHOD OF ORNAMENTING SURFACES 0F CERAMIC PRODUCTS.

Application filedMay 7, 1925; Serial No. 28,721.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, DOUGLAS F. STEVENS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Danville, in the county of Vermilion and State of Illinois, iave invented certain'new and useful Improvements in Apparatus for and Methods of Ornamenting Surfaces of Ceramic Products, of which the following is a, specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to production of brick and other products ofa ceramlc nature, and particularly to machines used in the formation of brick having ornamental face and end surfaces.

It is an object of the invention to provide a machine capable of operating upon a column of material extruded from the expressing-die of a stifi-mud clay-auger mechanism and so treating surfaces of the column that the brick units delivered from the machine will have, after going through the usual curing and kiln treatment, face and end surfaces of a texture that gives substantially the same appearance with either side up, and with either end out, when employed as facing in a Wall or other structure and when viewed at any angle.

This object is attained by forming and arranging parts of the machine in such manner that scratched, harrowed, or plowed surface particles of the column are distributed with substantial regularity in differentiated shapes and caused to retain their association with the column in substantially uniform disposition.

Another object is to provide a pressing instrumentality acting with substantially uniform pressure on a surface of the column irrespectively of variance in the swelling thereof as it leaves the die, and that gradually presses the harrowed or plowed particles in substantially even distribution against the column, whereby variance in the face texture or configuration of the brick in its surface area is avoided, and whereby the face surfaces are devoid of transverse waves.

It also is an object of the invention so to form and arrangecertain parts that certain ceramic nature derived from an elongated mass of plastic material. I I

l/Vhen considered with the description herein, the characteristics of the invention are apparent from the accompanying drawings, forming parthereof, wherein an embodiment of the invention is disclosed, for purposes of illustration. Although the disclosures herein exemplify what now is considered to be a preferable embodiment of the invention, it is to be understood that it is not the intention, to be limited necessarily thereto in interpretation of the claims, as modifications and adaptations within the limits of the claims can be made without departing from the nature of the invention.

Like reference characters refer to corresponding parts in the views of the drawings, of which Fig. 1 is a side elevation;

Fig. 2 is a plan View;

Fig. 3 is a section on the line i Fig. 4 is an end view;

Fig. 5 is a view of the surface of a brick resulting from operation of the machine.

The machine, which includes base flame members 6, is associated with an end wall A of a stiff-mud device, which extrudes from its die B a mass of more or less plastic material in the form of a column or ribbon substantially rectangular in cross section. The column movesthrough the machine in response to the pushing-out effort of the extruding device.

The column passes from the die onto a substantially horizontal smooth rigidly-supported plane surface, such, for example, as that afforded by a steel plate 7 carried by members 8 extending from the wall A and by a transverse member 9 supportedjby the base membersfi; it moves next onto a belt 3 3, Fig. 2;

10, which traverses a substantially horizontal planesurfaceof, and is supported rigidly by, a fiat member, such, for eziample,as a steel plate 11 carriedrby supports 12; and, after being treated during its movement along the receiving-plate and belt by instrumentalities hereinafter referred to, it moves to a place where it is cut into products of brick or other form, which thereafter-are subjected to curing and' kiln treatment to bring them to condition for shipment and use.

Supports 13 are positioned above the column and outside of the lateral planes thereof, and they are mounted in any suitable manner, as by being secured to the wall A of the extruding device; and supports 1 1 are mounted on supports 13 and extend downwardly therefrom and thence in substantially horizontal disposition thereunder. Each pair of supports 1314 carries a substantially vertical threaded rod 15, which is disposed therethrough and to which it is secured by opposed nuts 16. Each rod 15 has between its supports a pair of opposed nuts 17, which hold a pair of metallic plates 18 through which the rod is disposed.

Parallel spaced guides 19 have their end portions disposed between the plates 18; they are held in spaced relation by the rods 15, which are disposed through the inter mediate one, and by bolts 20, which are disposed through the outer ones; and they er.- tend above and obliquely across the column. Two members 21 are movable longitudinally between the guides in lines that are oblique or inclined to the axis and direction of motion, and substantially parallel to the upper side, of the column. Each slide 21 carries a plurality of series of pins or other suitable members 22, which protrude from the under side thereof and are arranged to scratch, harrow, or plow the top surface material of the moving column. The members 22 of each slide are staggered with respect to one another and with respect to the direction of motion of the column, so that every one of these unalined members acts on different parts of the column than the others at one time.

The slides are moved alternately in opposite and oblique directions, and the members 22 thereof caused to act correspondingly in the column material, by connecting-rods 23 driven by cams or cranks 24: of a drive-shaft 25. The amount of penetration of the members 22 into the column may be adjusted by turning the nuts 17, or the nuts 16, or both.

A support 26 is mounted on each of the side frame members 6 beyond the surface treatingmechanism. Each of these supports may be elongated metallic members, having their terminal portions down turned to afford legs 27 and in turned as substantiallyhorizontal feet 28 resting; on the frame members and secured thereto by bolts 29.

Each support 26 carries two substantially vertical threaded rods 30 disposed therethrough and secured thereto by opposed nuts 31. Each rod has thereon two nuts 32, between which are disposed two coil-springs The two rods on each side are disposed through a metallic plate 34. The abutting ends of the springs 33 bear against the upper and lower sides of the plates 34 and resilihold them against vertical movement. L wo shafts mounted on the plates 34,

are disposed transversely above the column, and each has thereon a drum 36. A pressing-belt 37, wider than the column, is carried by the drums. ()ne of the shafts 35 is mounted rotatably on the plates 34, its drum is fast thereon, and it has fast thereon a sprocketwvheel 38, which is driven by a chain-belt 39 and a sprocket-wheel 40.

The wheel 4.0 is fast on a shaft 11, which has fast thereon a drum 42, over which the belt 10 passes. At its opposite run the belt 10 passes over a drum 43 mounted on a shaft 4 1. The belt 10 is moved by the advancing column resting thereon, and it drives, through the instrumentalities just referred to, the pressing-belt 37 so that the lower run of the latter moves in the same direction as the column.

The sprocketwheels 38 and 410 so are proportioned that the belt 37 is driven at a speed slightly slower or faster than the column, so that it may have some dragging effect thereon, and preferably the arrange ment is such that the belt moves a little slower than the column. In View of the fact the advancing column resting on the belt 10 drives the pressing-belt, any change in the speed of the column will result in a corresponding alteration of the speed of the pressing-belt; and, therefore, the relative speeds of the column and pressing-belt always are constant.

After the top surface material of the column has been operated on by the obliquely-inoving members 22, and as the column continues to advance, the plowed or loosened particles move under the belt 37.

The springs 33 on the rods 30, which res liently hold the plates 34. are proportioned in such manner that the belt 3. has in its lower run a downward inclination to ward the column in the direction of its movement-that is, it is inclined downwardlv from front to rear. That belt is held tin-ht by its drums, so that its lower run is practically free of arch and presents a substantially straight pressing surface. It is adjusted with respect to the column by turningthe nuts 32 so that ithas gentle or caressing pressure on the column particles, and that pressure, due to the inclination of the contacting part of the belt, slightly increases as the column advances thereunder. The pressing-belt, by pressure thus applied to the column surface and also by its slight drag, operates to distribute and press the loosened particles evenly down into intimate association with the body of the column in varying shapes with irregularly shaped recesses or depressions among them.

Tn order that the face of the product may have the same appearance when viewed at any angle, it is a purpose to produce one that has a mottled-like texture afforded by diversified depressions of lrregular and It has been found in practice that such a face best can be produced by moving the harrowing or plowing members across the column obliquely or at an inclination. to

the axis and direction of motion of the column and bycausing a belt with a comparatively long period of contact to act on the loosened particles gently with a pressure that increases gradually and slightly as they advance thereunder.

The obliquely-moving harrowing or plowing members not only produce loosened particles of irregular shape, which are not produced by stationary members or members moving ,at right angles tothe axis of the column as commonly employed, but they also give a more even distribution of the particles and prevent them from becoming arranged in alternate regular or irregular rows; and, moreover, they have a longer period of action in the column surface than either stationary or moving members disposed at right angles with respect to'the direction of movement of the column. ther, with the obliquely-moving harrowing or plowing members, it is possible, and desirable, to omit the stationary members ordinarily employed in machines of this general class, for the longitudinal furrows resulting therefrom are not obliterated entirely by the subsequently-acting movable members. It has also been found that it is unnecessary to employ in this machine a wire or equivalent instrumentality to distribute the particles over the surface after they have moved beyond the action of the obliquely-movingmembers and before they are subjected to pressing-in.

Rollers such as heretofore used for pressing in the particles contact with them only in a comparatively small area of theirperipheries, with the result that transverse waves are liable to be present in the finished product. A belt such as hereinbefore described has a much longer period of contact with the column material, and as a result of the gentle, caressing, and graduallvincreasing pressure it applies the outer ends of the protuberances or nubbles are flat and no transverse waves are present in the product. v

The column while being acted on by the surface-treating mechanisms moves onrigidly-supportedparts-the plate and theplate-carried belt 10and, therefore, there is no liability of distortion of the column such as may occur when it moves along a roller-supported or sagging belt or other carrier.

After moving from under the belt 37, the column advances to mechanism (not shown) by whichit is cut into brick or other desired form, andvwhat was the top side of the column becomes the face of the product that is outside whenlaid in a wall or other structure.

After going through the usual curing and kiln processes, the. product has a surface such as illustrated by Fig. 5; that is to say: a surface of mottled-like texture and appearance having flat-surfaced protuberances or nubbles of varying, irregular, and diversified shapes and among them recesses of var in de th and different sha es.

If itis desired that the end or other surfaces of the product vformed by what are the sides of the column in the machine shall have an appearance similar to what is produced by the operations on the top material, the column sides may be subjected to scratching, harrowing, or plowing action like that imposed on the top. For this purpose, frame members 45 carry frames 46, which at their lower ends extend between and are supported by two spaced transverse frame members 47. Each of the frame members carries upper and lower guides 48 and 49, in which elongated'slides 50 are movable longitudinally. Each of theslides carries a plurality of rows of members 51, arranged in 'a manner corresponding to the members 22 on top, and these slides are dis posed obliquely or at an inclination to the axis or direction of movement of the column. The slides are moved alternately in opposite and oblique directions, and the members 51 thereof caused to act correspondingly in the side column material, by connectingrods 52 driven by cams or cranks 53 of a transverse drive-shaft 54 rotatably supported by frame members 45. The amount of penetration of the members 5lv into the column may be adjusted by means ofthreaded members 55.

The particles thus loosened in the sides of the column are pressed and caused again to become intimately associated with the column body by rollers 56.

Oil from a tank 57 is supplied by pipes 58 u and wipers 5 9 to the top and side surfaces of the column 1n advance of the harrowing or plowing devices to decrease the tendency of the column material to adhere to and clog the surface-treating members of those de vices.

Having thus described my invention, what i I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, 1s

1.'.In a machine; arranged tohave" a 051-;

umn of plastic material move therein,

mechanism comprising a plurality of plowing members, and means whereby said mem bers are given reciprocatory movement across and in surface material of the column obliquely with respect to the direction of motion thereof.

2. In a machine arranged to lnive a col umn of plastic material move therein, mechanism comprising a plurality of plowing members, and means whereby said members are given reciprocatory movement in straight lines across and in surface material of the column obliquely with respect to the direction of motion thereof. I 3. In a machine arranged to have a column of plastic material move therein, mechanism .comprisinga slide mova'l ile obliquely with respect to the direction of motion of the column, means whereby said slide is reciprocated, and plowing members on said slide operable in surface material of the column.

4. In a machine arranged to have a column of plastic material :mov'e therein, ZllBOlL ani'sm comprising a slide movable obliquely with respect to the direction of motion of the column, means whereby said slide is reciprocated, and series of plowing members on said slide staggered with respect to the direction of motion of the column and operable in surface material thereof.

5. In a machine arranged to have a column of plastic material move therein, mechanism comprising slides movable obliquely with respect to the direction of motion of the column, means whereby said slides ar reciprocated alternately in opposite directions, and plowing members on said slide operable in surface material of the column.

6. In a machine arranged to have a column of plastic material move therein, mechanism comprising stationary spaced supports, guide members between said supports having ,guideways between them disposed obliquely with respect to the direction of motion of the column, slides in said guideways, means whereby said slides are reciprocated, and plowing members on said slides operable in surface material of the column.

7. In a machine arranged to have a column of plastic material move therein, a de vice simultaneously pressing and dragging against surface material of the column.

8. In a machine arranged to have a column of plastic material move therein, a pressing-belt arranged to contact at one side with surface material of the column, and means whereby that side of the belt is driven in the direction of motion and at speed that is different from that of the column.

9. In a machine arranged to have a column of plastic material move therein, a pressing-belt arranged to contact at one side with surface material of the column,

and means whereby that side of the beltis driven in the direction of motion and at a speed that slower than that of the column.

10. In a machine of the class described, spaced drums, a belt thereon arranged to have a cohu'nn of plastic material move in contact therewith, a pressing-belt arranged to contact atone side with surface material of the column, and means whereby said pressing-belt is driven by one of said drums at a speed that is different from that of the column.

11. In a machine of the class described, spaced drums, a belt thereon arranged to have a column of plastic material move in contact therewith, a pressing-belt arranged to contact at one side with surface material of the column, and means whereby said pressing-belt is driven by one of-said drums at a speed that is slower than that of the column.

12. In a machine arranged to have a col umn of piilStl-C material move therein, the con'ibination of a plurality of plowing mem bers, means whereby said members are given reciprocatory movement across and in surface material of the column obliquely with respect to the direction of motion thereof, a pressing-belt arranged to contact at one side with material ofthe column acted on by said plowing members, and drive mechanism for said belt.

13. In a machine arranged'to have a column of plastic material move therein, the combination of a plurality-of plowing members, means whereby said members are given reciprocatory movement across and in surface material of the column obliquely with respect to the direction of motion thereof, a pressing-belt arranged to contact at one side in inclined disposition with material of the column acted on by said plowing members, and drive mechanism for said belt.

14. In a machine arranged to have a column of plastic material move therein, the combination of a plurality of plowing members, means whereby said members are given reciprocatory movement across and in surface material of the column obliquely with respect to the direction of motion thereof, a pressing-belt arranged to contact at one side with material of the column acted on by said plowing members and to apply increasing pressure thereto as it moves in contact therewith, and drive mechanism for said belt.

15. In a machine arranged to have a column of plastic material move therein, means whereby surface particles of the column are loosened, and a single device arranged to drag and press in the particles.

16. In a machine arranged to have a col umn of plastic material move therein, means whereby surface particles of the'colum'n are loosened, and a single device arranged to drag and simultaneously to apply gradually increasing pressure to the particles.

17. A. method of ornamenting a face of products derived from an elongated mass of plastic material that includes moving the mass longitudinally and subjecting a face thereof to reciprocatory plowing thereacross in straight paths oblique to the direction of motion of the mass.

18. A method of ornamenting a face of products derived from an elongated mass of plastic material that includes moving the mass longitudinally, subjecting a face thereof to reciprocatory plowing thereacross in straight paths oblique to the direction of motion of the mass and thereby loosening particles thereof, and pressing said particles inwardly of the mass.

19. A method of ornamenting a face of products derived from an elongated mass of plastic material that includes moving the mass longitudinally, subjecting a face thereof to reciprocatoryplowing thereacross in motion of the mass and thereby loosening particles thereof, and applying inward and gradually increasing pressure to the loosened 7 particles.

20. A method of ornamenting a face of products derived from an elongated mass of plastic material that includes moving the mass longitudinally, plowing a face of the mass whereby particles thereof are loosened, and simultaneously dragging and pressing the particles inwardly of the mass.

21. A method of ornamenting a face of products derived from an elongated mass of plastic material that includes moving the mass longitudinally, plowing a face of the mass whereby particles thereof are loosened and simultaneously dragging and applying inward and gradually increasing pressure to the particles.

Intestimony whereof I afiix my signature.

DOUGLAS F. STEVENS. 

